Heaven Awaits

By Joni and Friends|Published On: April 22, 2021|Categories: 1-Minute Radio Program, Daily Devotional|

A dirt road with thickly wooded forest on either side, the sun streaming in through the trees.

“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.”
1 Thessalonians 4:16

On a grassy hillside as my friend Francie gazed at her mother’s coffin, she lifted her 5-year-old grandson to her lap. It was a lengthy graveside service, and little Luke rested his head against her chest. Finally, he leaned toward her ear and whispered, “When is Grammy coming out?” The moment was endearing to Francie, but it was also a powerful statement of a fact.

First Thessalonians 4 (KJV) says that one day “the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise.” Someday – perhaps very soon – that grave will split open and Grammy’s body will reunite with her spirit. That’s an astounding truth that should shape how we live every day. I’m really looking forward to that day, so, prepare for it: today, delight in the Lord Jesus!